Similar to TopTV subscribers which since 2012 saw TV channels simply disappear without any advance warning or any explanation when it happened or afterwards, several TV channels on StarTimes in Kenya - one of the countries where StarTimes is operating a pay-TV business - just went blank.
StarTimes which has swooped in to take control of TopTV in South Africa with a flush of cash and plans for operational, managerial and major structural changes, haven't bothered to explain to StarTimes subscribers in Kenya why the Chinese pay-TV operator now longer has local TV channels such as Citizen TV, NTV and KTV available on its bouquet.
Just like TopTV, StarTimes subscribers in Kenya have not been given any pro rata discount after suddenly getting less TV and less channels.
Kenya which has a Television Viewers and Radio Listeners Association based in Nairobi, says "We are concerned and disturbed by complaints and concerns we have continuously received concerning StarTimes. We therefore warn all of you to be careful and cautious before purchasing the digital boxes from this company until we are assured that they will provide what they purport to do."
A StarTimes Kenya representative could not be reached.
On its Facebook page StarTimes Kenya simply tells subscribers - without any explanation: "We sincerely apologize for the missing local channels, this is due to unavoidable circumstances which we hope will be resolved as soon as possible for you to continue to enjoy our services. Kindly bear with us."
